Angels' Santiago: 'I feel like I've earned a spot'

"In my eyes, I feel like it," Santiago said. "They probably want a lot more out of me, but I feel like I did well enough in the second half." After a tough first half, in which he posted a 4.50 ERA, Santiago did improve in the second half, putting up a 2.98 ERA over 63 1/3 innings.

While Santiago has the most experience, he's expected to be pushed by the team's youngsters. "There's going to be some competition and we're going to see how it plays out," Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher said.

Santiago posted a 3.75 ERA over 127 1/3 innings last year.

Angels P Hector Santiago threw 20 bullpens during offseason

Santiago threw 20 bullpen sessions and pitched in Japan. During the winter, he threw five innings as well. With all that work, the Angels wanted the 27-year-old southpaw to keep his arm fresh for the 2015 season.

However, the team is not expected to tender an offer to infielder Gordon Beckham. The team would like to have Beckham back on the roster next season, but not for the $5 million he is projected to make in his third year of arbitration.

Hector Santiago tosses scoreless outing in win vs. A's

(9/24/14) Angels pitcher Hector Santiago earned a win Wednesday, allowing three hits and two walks in 5 1/3 scoreless innings while striking out three in his team's 5-4 victory over the A's.

Santiago (6-9) closes the season on a high note after getiting blasted for six earned runs while recording only three outs in his previous outing. He entered September with a 3.28 ERA but finishes the regular season with a 3.81 mark to go with a 106:52 K:BB ratio in 125 1/3 innings. Santiago will presumably be a member of the team's postseason rotation.

2014 summary: One of the two arms the Angels acquired (from two different teams) in the Mark Trumbo deal, Hector Santiago was supposed to be a fixture in the starting rotation, but after a handful of early hooks to begin the season, he found himself in the dreaded swingman role. Injuries eventually made him a full-time starter again, and he was better after his initial banishment, compiling a 3.21 ERA in 23 appearances, including 17 starts, but as an inefficient pitcher with a tendency to serve up the gopher ball, he never inspired much confidence in Fantasy.

Playing time status: And now, he's without his most valuable attribute. Santiago didn't pitch in relief enough to retain relief pitcher eligibility, which was the only thing that made him relevant in Head-to-Head points leagues, where even a so-so starting pitcher can be just as productive as a closer.

2015 outlook: Santiago started 24 games last season and pitched less than six innings in 18 of them, so even if sticks in the starting rotation, he's going to struggle for wins, all while contributing a subpar WHIP and only so-so strikeout rate. He's not an embarrassment, but he has no redeeming qualities either, making him little more than an AL-only option on Draft Day.
(Updated 12/12/14)